When will the first UFC event of 2025 take place? Here is the date and the list of fighters for the highly anticipated showdown.
The UFC is kicking off 2025 with a bang on January 11th at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The first Fight Night of the year brings fans an exciting rematch in the women’s strawweight division, with Mackenzie Dern facing off against Amanda Ribas in the main event.
These two talented fighters have some interesting history together. Back in 2019, Ribas got the better of Dern with a decision win. Now, after four years of growth and experience, both fighters have evolved.
Dern, known for her world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has sharpened her striking game considerably. Ribas, always a well-rounded fighter, brings her signature mix of martial arts skills and that infectious smile that lights up every event she’s in.
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The card is stacked with fourteen fights total, which is pretty generous for a Fight Night event. Fans will witness Chris Curtis squaring off against Roman Kopylov in what should be a banger at middleweight.
In the co-main event, Santiago Ponzinibbio will take on Carlston Harris. Ponzinibbio, at 38, still packs a serious punch. The veteran welterweight brings intense pressure and heavy hands to every fight. Harris might be less known, but he’s no pushover.
The card has a nice mix of styles and weight classes. Fans have everything from Thiago Moises’s technical grappling prowess to Abdul Razak Alhassan’s explosive striking. It’s like a fighting buffet. There’s something for everyone.
These are all the fights on the first card of the year:
Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas (Main Event)
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Carlston Harris (Co-Main Event)
César Almeida vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan
Chris Curtis vs. Roman Kopylov
Marco Tulio vs. Ihor Potieria
Thiago Moises vs. Trey Ogden
Magomed Gadzhiyasulov vs. Bruno Lopes
Christian Rodriguez vs. Austin Bashi
Punahele Soriano vs. Uros Medic
Jose Johnson vs. Felipe Bunes
Ernesta Kareckaite vs. Nicolle Caliari
Preston Parsons vs. Andreas Gustafsson
Fatima Kline vs. Victoria Dudakova
Nurullo Aliev vs. Yanal Ashmouz
What makes this card special is its role as the year’s opener. These fighters aren’t just competing for a win; they are setting the tone for their 2025 campaign. A victory here could be the first step toward a rankings push or even a title shot!
(Image Credits: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)
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